Bismarck weekly tribune. [volume] (Bismarck, Dakota [N.D.]) 1884-1943, 1887-06-17
A Master Stroke that Excites the
Admiration of Leading DEM
Ocratic Authorities,
The Righteous Indignation of an
Outraged People Expressed by
Veterans and Statesman.
The Great Economist Evidently Dis
covers His Mistake and C0un-
termands the Order.
Cleveland's Cheek,

WASHINGTON, June 16.-The return of
confederate flags captured in battle during
the war of the rebellion is actually In pro-
gress at the war department, by the direc-
ion of President Cleveland. The are 545
of these banners, 150 of which have a COM
plete history recorded; $50 have but par
tial history on file, aud the remainder are
without Identification that can be depended
upon.
FACTS AND RUMORs.
Adjutant General Drum is the only per-
son in authority here who appears disposed
to talk about the order relative to the re-
turn of the rebel flags. He has good right
to speak, for it is quite certain that the idea
originated with him. General Drum has
these trophies in his charge. What his
share in the matter is can, perhaps, be best
learned from the following interview:
General Drum, are you going to return
to the southern states all the flags, stand
ards and colors which were captured by
the union army from the confederates
during the warp
"We are going to return them to all the
states north and south. The president
has recommended that it be done, and
I am now having full list of all the tro-
phies now in the possession Of the depart
ment. In a short time we shall have the
whole collection 80 assorted and separated
that we shall be ready to forward to every
state in the union whatever flags belong
ing to the state volunteers in the hands of
the federal army in the hands of the war
department. l am having a complete in
ventOry Of them made out, with written
statements to briefly, as far as known, tell
the history Of each trophy and the story of
how it came to the capitol"
The adjutant general did not give d.
rect answer to the question, but intimated
that possibly when the list Of the flags was
| returned and their history given to the
public. the letter from President Cleveland
on the subject might also be made public.
"When did the president determine that
these flags should be returned%'
During the week of the national drill.
This action is not due to any pressure or
any suggestion from any outside source.
The idea originated with the administra-
ton. 1t had been in contemplation in the
department for some time"
General Drum only speaks of the presi-
dent in regard to this action to say that
the proposition was made to the president
by Secretary Endicott at cabinet meet
ing, where it was unanimously approved.
None Of the cabinet officers who were
approached desired to say anything on the
| subject, as it was not under their depart
ment. The secretary Of war was not ac-
cessible this morning. There is no doubt,
however, that the president and his cabi-
net gave their assent to the original sug-
gestion of Adjutant General Drum.
A despatch from this city to the Balti-
more Democrat OF this morning quotes:
"a gentleman Of prominence in political
circles" probably Secretary Bayard, as
saying: "The order is one Of the bravest.
wisest and most patriotic actions ever per-
formed by the executive of great people.
By shake of his pen the president has
done more to unite the states and confirm
the union than all precedent proclamations
| and legislation. There can never be
united people so long as the conquerors
in civil war glory over the conquered
and anything which keeps alive feelings
of once existing sectional hatred should be
wiped out. The act of the president is
brave, because it has already aroused the
rage of the professional Office seeking,
soldier organizations and partisan journals
which seem in many cases to have no 9th
er excuse for being than to keep alive and
bequeath from father to son never dying
spirit Of hatred"
PROMPT ACTION.
WASHINGTON, June 16.-At the request
Of Governor Foraker, of Ohio, that counsel
should be obtained to institute legal pro-
ceedlngs to enjoin the return Of confeder-
ate flags to the governors Of southern
states, Gen. H. N. Boynton to-day selected
Hon. Samuel Shellaberger, of Ohio, and
Hon. George S. .Bendwell, Of Massachusetts
to take charge of the case. The attorneys
expected to have an application for man.
damus filed In the supreme court of the
district at o'clock this afternoon, but
were detained by the non-receipt OF the